Ansar Latif, Shabbir Ahmad, Taseer Fatima, Anila Ansar, Tariq Mukhtar Farani.
Injuries caused by diathermy plate of electocautery unit in patients undergoing surgery.
Pak J Med Health Sci Jan ;13(4):834-6.

Aim To assess the frequency of various injuries and their management caused by electocautery unit in patients undergoing surgery in Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot. Study Design : Prospective study . Setting and time of study: Departments of Surgery, Anaesthesia and Gynaecology/ Obstetrics. Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot. from March 2015 to September 2019. Methods: All patients of both sexes presenting to the surgical OPD who have undergone surgery in the operation theatres of Allama Iqbal Memorial Hospital Sialkot and had burns/ injuries were included. The patients distributed as Group I undergoing surgery in Emergency settings while the Group II included patients operated in Elective settings. The data of all patients were collected and findings recorded. The management either as outdoor patient or indoor carried and all variables devised. Results : The total number of patients participated in research were 107. Those underwent emergency procedure were 45 and that of elective were 19. Regarding medical specialty general surgery patient were 28, orthopedic were 7, gynae and obs were 19, neurosurgery were 2, urology were 5 and peadiatric patients were 3. The patients were divided into two groups, those who underwent burn at calf treated on emergency basis were 90% and on elective basis were 57.89%. Burns at gluteal region treated on elective basis were 42.10%. Patients having superficial burn were 68.88% on emergency basis and 47.10% on elective basis. Patients presented in emergency with deep burn were 31.11% and on elective list were 52.63%. Those patient required OPD follow up were 68.88% in emergency setup and 47.36% on elective basis. Conclusion: There is variety of complications that occur with the use of electrocautry unit and its diathermy plate. Complications are preventable and the care to take preventative measures and taking necessary steps to minimize these plate burns is required . The staff should always keep in mind these injuries for its prevention.

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